Henry Henkel’s desire to write a book created some firsts for several West Windsor residents. Not only did Henkel have his first book published but in the process a dormant book publishing company came to life for a West Windsor couple ,and together they will inaugurate a new booksigning venue.
“Bald Spots & Blue Suits: Modern Fables” is a collection of 10 short stories about the human struggle with alienation and loneliness. All set in ordinary places such as a church, a bus stop, a diner, or a bar, they detour into unknown territory. Henkel, who is already working on two more books in the series, will appear at a booksigning Sunday, May 15.
“I am one of the class clowns, and when people pick up the book they expect comedy,” says Henkel. “They are surprised and say that’s not the guy who I hang out with at parties.” Some of his stories come from news items, but loneliness and despair are highlighted. “The book is not filled with happy endings,” he says.
Born in 1955 in Seaford, New York, a small town on the South shore of Long Island, Henkel began writing during his college days at the State University of New York at Buffalo, where he graduated with a degree in English and education.
After receiving his master’s degree in literature from New York University, he was the chairman of the English department at a private school in New York. He has worked in the financial services industry for many years and has been a sales manager at Met Life for more than 16 years.
His wife, Kathryn, does volunteer work with the Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, and at St. David the King Church. They have four children. Kate is a sophomore at High School North. Danielle is a freshman at North. Anna is a seventh grade student at Community Middle School. Joe (Danielle’s twin) is a student at Rock Brook School and will be entering North in the fall.
The family moved to West Windsor from northern Virginia 14 years ago when Met Life transferred him to the New York office. When Henkel spoke with a friend who lived in West Windsor, he was told “You’ve got to look at Princeton Junction. It’s not far from Manhattan and the schools are good.” At the time Henkel had young children with one on the way. It was a good move for them and the family was happy.
“I travel a lot and love writing in an airplane,” says Henkel, who writes in pen in longhand usually on a yellow pad of paper.
Although Henkel thought about self-publishing his works he was afraid of quality control. “It’s an old view of self-publishing but it did not feel right.”
Enter his West Windsor friends Joe Gonnella and Allegra D’Adamo of South Mill Road.
Their publishing company, Other Islands Press, began with two issues of a literary magazine in 1980. Dormant for years they have recently started to look at manuscripts of short stories and poetry. Founder Gonnella is a bookseller, poet, and lifelong bibliophile. Co-founder D’Adamo has more than 20 years’ experience in the publishing industry, including director of marketing and subsidiary rights for Ecco Press and the New Press, and associate publisher for Aperture and publicity director for Warner Books.
They moved to West Windsor in 1985 when he worked at Barnes & Noble distribution center, formerly near Exit 8A. Their sons Joseph, 13, and Christopher, 11, attend West Windsor-Plainsboro schools.
The turning point came at a New Year’s Day party when they offered to read Henkel’s stories and Joe told him “we’re thinking of buying a publishing house and would like to work with you.”
“I trusted them,” Henkel says. “They are both very creative people and took the book to levels I did not anticipate.” The book is now available in several formats including Kindle and Nook. There is a collector’s edition, a high quality signed volume for $60; a patron’s editor in Chinese silk and signed for $120; and a trade edition for $24.95. Henkel is ready to sign books with his special blue pen to match the book cover.
The May 15 booksigning will inaugurate a new space at Cranbury Bookworm. “Recent renovations include a brand new, beautiful space for signings, readings, and other community events,” says Allegra. “We are thrilled to be part of this new initiative.”
— Lynn Miller
Author Event, Cranbury Bookworm, 54 North Main Street, Cranbury. Sunday, May 15, 3 p.m. E-mail otherislandspress@msn.com for information. 609-655-1063.
